Irish Deaf Youth Association

The Irish Deaf Youth Association was set up on the 18th October 1976 by a group of Deaf youths in Athlone, Co. Westmeath. This midland location was chosen to allow youths from all over Ireland to attend a conference to set the IDYA up on the road of representing Deaf youths in Ireland. We are a voluntary organisation and we continually raise money and apply for grants to ensure our ideas are met. We are always open to suggestions and welcome new members. Our office is based at the Irish Deaf Society in Dublin. In 2008, the IDYA is drastically different from its early days. With more resources available, we can embark on a range of activities such as the setting up of the IUK Camp, being involved in the EUDY Camps and organising Youth Exchanges among the EU.

*Affiliated to the Irish Deaf Society: Our offices are based within the offices of the IDS who in turn are great advocates of the IDYA
*Affiliated to the European Union of the Deaf Youth. The Irish Deaf Youth Association held the European Union of the Deaf Youth camp in the summer of 2006

*The Irish Deaf Youth Association under the premise of Sean Herlihy set up the Irish-UK camp which is an annual event which has so far seen camps in Ireland, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland. Our next camp will be held in the Summer of 2008 in Wales. This camp allows us to work closely with the Deaf Youth Workers Forum (UK based under the British Deaf Association.
*Work with the City of Dublin Youth Service Board who have assisted us with fundraising such as our recent successful grant of €50,000 to acquire office staff
*The IDYA has also organised successful EU youth exchanges. Previous youth exchanges were held with Latvia and Finland. We are currently working towards another Youth Exchange which will be announced in due course. The IDYA strives to represent all Deaf 18-35 year old throughout Ireland. The early years of the IDYA focused on the building up and foundations of the IDYA to the extent it is now an organisation which is more involved with its members. Although we represent the 18-35, we take into consideration under 18's from the ages 13-17 with our Annual Irish-UK Camp and WFDYS Junior camp. We also set up Irish Deaf Teens. Due to the internet age, we now have contacts with many Deaf youth groups throughout the world whereby we assist each other with ideas and suggestions. We also attend training camps in various countries which teach us new ways of continuing our youth group. We are a voluntary organisation and we continually raise money and apply for grants to ensure our ideas are met. We are always open to suggestions and welcome new members. Our office is based at the Irish Deaf Society here in Dublin. IDYA recently renovated their website. It includes a forum where you can discuss your ideas. Don't be afraid to register and say HEY!

External links

* http://www.irishdeafyouth.com